A milestone for mental health: the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool
The Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is a national initiative from the Department of Health and Aged Care that is being implemented across Australia in primary care settings. The IAR-DST is a decision-making framework guided by clinicians’ own assessment and clinical judgment. It provides a consistent framework, supporting clinicians to match a
Fire ants found in Wardell
On 22 January 2024, an alert was issued regarding the detection of red important fire ants in the community of Wardell, just south of Ballina. Fire ants are a danger to the community as: They kill off native plants and animals and damage ecosystems beyond repair They swarm aggressively, stinging over and over, causing a
Rising stronger: 2024 Community Wellbeing and Resilience funding to open
Register for the webinar to learn more In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Community Wellbeing and Resilience (CWR) program grant funding round, Healthy North Coast is inviting local community service providers to participate in an information and feedback webinar. Two dates are available to choose from: 14 February 2024 19 February 2024Â The webinar will
Help prevent COPD hospitalisations by participating in research study
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was the top cause of preventable hospitalisations for chronic diseases in Australia in 2016-17. The identification of ‘treatable traits’ in COPD – in particular the severity, activity and impact – are crucial in the provision of an individualised treatment programme for reducing the burden of COPD. General practice
Go4Fun comes to Ballina, Casino & Grafton
Parents and carers can now enrol their primary school aged children into a free 10-week healthy lifestyle program in Ballina, Casino and Grafton for Term 1. Go4Fun is a family-focused healthy lifestyle program that runs once a week during the school term. It aims to improve the health, fitness and self-esteem in children aged 7-13
Syphilis outbreak on the North Coast
Author: North Coast Population and Public Health Syphilis cases on the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW continue to leave sexual health services concerned. A major concern is the increase in cases among women of childbearing age and heterosexual men. This raises the risk of cases of congenital syphilis.  Staff Specialist with Mid North
Help patients make their New Year’s resolutions stick with the free Get Healthy service
Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions are health-related, so to help people turn these health goals into healthy habits, Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is offering the free Get Healthy service. The Get Healthy service is a phone and online customised coaching program for anyone who is over 16 and lives in
Invitation to complete survey: potential changes to hepatitis B medications
The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) is currently in the early stages of progressing advocacy to potentially move hepatitis B medications from Section 100 (s100) to Section 85 (s85). Currently these medications are listed under Section 100 (s100) of the PBS, which allows only accredited community-based practitioners supported by
Sponsorships available for new primary health care nurses on the North Coast
Healthy North Coast is excited to co-sponsor 5 Transition to Practice Program (TPP) positions for nurses new to primary health care in our region. The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association’s (APNA) TPP provides an evidence-based education framework and support to nurses who have transitioned to primary health care and feel they would benefit from
Grants available to support Northern Rivers children and youth to thrive post floods
Grants of up to $150,000 are available to community and not-for-profit organisations to deliver activities and programs to support the wellbeing of children and young people in the Northern Rivers impacted by the 2022 floods. The grants are available under the Youth Participation fund, part of the Resilient Kids program being delivered by Social Futures
Healthy North Coast unveils 2024 calendar of events
Healthy North Coast is excited to launch our calendar of education and events for January-June 2024. This calendar continues on from a very successful 2023 where education and events were very well-subscribed and highly regarded, with a highlight being two clinical society forums which provided localised education around chronic care. The first half of 2024 promises
HealthPathways seeking workgroup participants for Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care
The Mid and North Coast HealthPathways team are inviting expressions of interest to participate in a series of Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care pathway workgroups in 2024/25. Two workgroups will be assembled to support the development of five new HealthPathways aimed at supporting practice nurses, residential aged care nurses and general practitioners when providing care
